Conversations about wealth and money don’t usually involve children. But one Orlando-based nonprofit organization is changing that narrative: WESH 2 Community Champion 8 Cents In A Jar. Lashea Reaves is teaching young students at Alpha Learning Academy about the stock market and the benefits of investing. Reeves wants these students to make sense of something so many adults tend to shy away from. “You should be able to have an open conversation about money. . Where does it come from? How can I save it? What is the best place to use it? Once we can talk about money. We’re better about managing that money, “Reaves said.Reaves is the executive director of 8 Cents In A Jar, an award-winning nonprofit organization focused on financial education for minority students between the ages of 8 and 28 years old in central Florida. “The lack of financial literacy, the lack of understanding for money management, that really drove my career. , “she said.It’s a challenge Reaves knows all too well.She grew up below the poverty line, relying on government assistance for food and housing.WESH 2 Sheldon Dutes: What’s the significance behind the name? Lashea: When I was growing up , I had to adopt my younger sister. After my father passed away, we found out he was selling our birth certificates and Social Security cards for money. We had about 15 different people walking around using our names and credit. By the time I paid off the creditors I looked at my checking account and realized I only had eight cents to my name. So I literally took that eight cents and placed it in a jar.Reaves graduated from FAMU and works in banking. Since 2016, she used “8 Cents” as a vehicle to drive economic change for families like hers. “They will have the skills of learning to save money, acquire assets and build wealth,” she said. And 8 Cents measures student success on an individual basis.Reaves improved her family’s financial situation by thriving in an industry traditionally led by men. “So one of the things we love to do at 8 Cents In A Jar is highlighting the women that are CFPS, CFAS but most importantly giving our students an opportunity to see what they can aspire to that way we can have more women go into those fields because we need them, “she said. This determination to lead by example distinguished Reaves as a WESH 2 Community Champion.” It’s truly a blessing. And so, I can’t wait to now nominate someone else because I am not the only person. Central Florida has a ton of amazing people doing great things every single day, “she said.
Conversations about wealth and money don’t usually involve children.
But one Orlando-based nonprofit organization is changing that narrative: WESH 2 Community Champion 8 Cents In A Jar.
Lashea Reaves is teaching young students at Alpha Learning Academy about the stock market and the benefits of investing.
Reaves wants these students to make sense of something so many adults tend to shy away from.
“You should be able to have an open conversation about money. Where does it come from? How can I save it? What is the best place to use it? Once we can talk about money. We’re better about managing that money, “Reaves said.
Reaves is the executive director of 8 Cents In A Jar, an award-winning nonprofit organization focused on financial education for minority students between the ages of 8 and 28 years old in central Florida.
“The lack of financial literacy, the lack of understanding for money management, that really drove my career,” she said.
It’s a challenge Reaves knows all too well.
She grew up below the poverty line, relying on government assistance for food and housing.
WESH 2 Sheldon Dutes: What’s the significance behind the name?
Lashea: When I was growing up, I had to adopt my younger sister. After my father passed away, we found out he was selling our birth certificates and Social Security cards for money. We had about 15 different people walking around using our names and credit. By the time I paid off the creditors I looked at my checking account and realized I only had eight cents to my name. So I literally took that eight cents and placed it in a jar.
Reaves graduated from FAMU and works in banking. Since 2016, she’s used “8 Cents” as a vehicle to drive economic change for families like hers.
“They will have the skills of learning to save money, acquire assets and build wealth,” she said.
And 8 Cents measures student success on an individual basis.
Reaves improved her family’s financial situation by thriving in an industry traditionally led by men.
“So one of the things we love to do at 8 Cents In A Jar is highlighting the women that are CFPS, CFAS but most importantly giving our students an opportunity to see what they can aspire to that way we can have more women go into those fields because we need them, “she said.
This determination to lead by example distinguished Reaves as a WESH 2 Community Champion.
“It’s truly a blessing. And so, I can’t wait to now nominate someone else because I am not the only person. Central Florida has a ton of amazing people doing great things every single day,” she said.